Plant Health

We are dependent on plants for many things: the air we breath, the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the houses in which we live. The world's population has exceeded 6 billion and we are confronted with the challenge of maintaining sufficient food and fiber supplies to support this large number, while at the same time preserving the environment. According to most estimates pests of all kinds (arthropods, microorganisms, weeds, etc.) consistently destroy 30-40% of all plant produce. Worldwide this loss to crop production amounts to $400 to $500 billion dollars annually. Post-harvest losses by insects and plant pathogens further eliminate vitally needed food and fiber. Suboptimal growing conditions caused by nutrient and water imbalances (floods and droughts), improper soil chemistries, the weather, and toxic substances in air, soil and water represent significant challenges to plant health. In addition to the cost of pesticides themselves and their application, the total cost of pest management must also include possible non-target effects on humans and the environment.